Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Autumn Mercado’s coworker at the Huntsman Cancer Institute tells police she’s worried something happened to Autumn. Mercardo didn't show up for work. The nurse relays that Autumn’s husband has a history of domestic violence against his wife and she has a nagging feeling it went too far this time. West Jordan police officers were dispatched to the area of 7800 South and Iron Core Lane to perform a welfare check. Autumn’s husband, Carlos Mercado Jr. answers the door for officers, clearly drunk, with the smell of alcohol on his breath. Mercado is surprisingly relieved to see them...claiming he was just about to call! As officers follow Mercado into the home, they see a woman’s body, covered in a blanket, crumpled at the foot of the stairs. Carlos Mercado Jr. has a hard time maintaining his balance, and slurs his speech while speaking with officers. His breath smells of alcohol as he explains he found Autumn roughly 6-hours ago, but did not realize she was dead. Mercado says he assumed she was sleeping off the numerous drinks they shared the night before. Officers notice several open alcohol containers in the kitchen and living room. Mercado tells police that he and Autumn were drinking heavily late into the night, and he fell asleep around 4 am. When he wakes at 8:40 am, Autumn is at the bottom of the stairs, and Mercado cannot wake her. Mercado tells police he believes Autumn must have passed out from Vertigo and fallen down the stairs. Mercado admits that instead of calling 911, he covers Autumn with a blanket and orders a Lyft ride. Mercado makes a trip to nearby gas station for a beer run, leaving their 1- and 4-year-old children home alone with Mommy’s body. Joining Nancy Grace today: https://www.drlisalong.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boyfriend strangles mom of four in front of their 5-year-old son. Houston Evidence locker has an infestation! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Naresh Bhatt has been held without bond since August on a felony charge of concealing a dead body, now a grand jury hands up a murder indictment against the man who was married to Mamta Kafle Bhatt. Naresh Bhatt now faces state charges of murder and defiling a body. The charge for defiling a body is due to evidence that shows the body of Mamta Kafle Bhatt was dismembered. Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo says DNA tests proved blood found in Kafle Bhatt’s bedroom belonged to Mamta, with evidence showing she was killed on July 29. Investigators have been testing evidence found at the Bhatt residence, including what appeared to be blood found on a handheld power saw. DNA testing by Virginia's Department of Forensic Science reports the blood found on the reciprocating power saw matches the DNA profile created by Mamta Kafle Bhatt's hairbrush. This along with new body cam footage give insight into the investigation. Prosecutors are notifiying the court they intend to offer up results of DNA analysis. It is a state law in Virginia that the commonwealth has to give the defense a notice of intent as the first step to get that DNA evidence into the trial. The state is providing four certificates of analysis from the Virginia Department of Forensic Science showing results of the DNA evidence collected during the investigation. DNA was collected from Mamta's hairbrush, a piece of carpet, a garbage can, and a reciprocating saw and knives. Naresh Bhatt's trial is scheduled for September 8. Joining Nancy Grace today: www.uspasecurity.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Basketball coach runs over parent confronting him about the game. Florida cops on the search for 'Mr. Clean' and 'Mrs. Dookie.' For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Camp Cohen Waterpark in Northeast El Paso is going through a "soft opening" as the staff prepares for the summer months. The fun sounds of children playing at Camp Cohen Water Park is interrupted by life guards blowing whistles and telling everyone to get out of the pool. An unconscious boy, not wearing a life jacket, is pulled out of a 4-foot-deep section of the water. Multiple signs at Camp Cohen state that children 6 and younger “must be directly attended by a swimming adult” at all times and “must be supervised by an adult within arm’s reach.” Parents gather around as guards begin life saving measures, but the victim’s parents are not readily identified. 35-year-old single mother Jessica Weaver is lounging in Camp Cohen Water Park while her 3-year-old son, Anthony plays amongst other children, interrupted by the sound of life guards blowing whistles, telling everyone to get out of the pool. After about 5 minutes, Jessica Weaver notices the commotion and heads toward the pool looking for Anthony. Getting closer to Jessica realizes they are working on Anthony, and she jumps in the pool to her child. Investigators looking into the Mother's Day weekend drowning death of 3-year-old Anthony Malave are stunned to find out the mother of the toddler is filing a lawsuit against Destination El Paso, the company that runs the City’s water parks and against the City of El Paso, alleging gross negligence and wrongful death. The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Jessica Weaver by a Houston law firm and claims that during the park’s “soft opening,” the City and Destination El Paso “were too concerned with packing the water park with people and ensuring that the live band was playing.” Two months after Jessica Weaver filed her wrongful death lawsuit, and almost 4 months after Anthony’s death, 35-year-old Jessica Weaver is under arrest. Weaver is arrested in her home state of Indiana on a fugitive from justice warrant out of El Paso, Texas. Waiving extradition, she is transported to El Paso, where she is let out of jail with a $100,000 bond. Weaver's attorneys with the wrongful death lawsuit against the city of El Paso claim the arrest of Weaver is "retaliatory tactics" for her lawsuit Joining Nancy Grace today: www.carynstark.com “Dr. Tom’s Lifeguard Chronicles”;Safer BeachesBeter BeachesThe Complete Swimming Pool Reference”; website: www.aquaticsafetygroup.comhttps://drtomslifeguardvision.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mom "who has trouble controlling children" restrains them while she's away from home. Woman finds a tracker on her car, placed there by a years-old ex! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a small court victory for convicted socialite Rebecca Grossman against the parents of two young boys killed when a drunk Grossman plowed into them. The family is civilly suing Grossman and her former MLB star lover Scott Erickson for wrongful death. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Huey Cotton threw out a motion to fast-track. The judge’s decision means that trial won't start until the original December 1 date. Just after 7 pm, on a September evening, Jacob and Mark Iskander, their siblings, and parents go for an evening stroll to a nearby lake. The 6 member family is crossing in a crosswalk at a three-way intersection when mother Nancy hears a speeding car barreling their way. The mom says her husband and daughter were father away from the street. She tries to signal to the two SUVs to slow down. She tries to pull the children back, only managing to grab 1 of them and dive out of the way. Jacob and Mark are hit. Mark Iskander dies at the scene. Jacob dies later at the hospital. According to police, Mark was thrown 254 feet. Nancy Iskander tells police that two SUVs were "zig-zagging with each other as if they were playing or racing.” She says the drivers didn’t stop, at the intersection, not even when the 11-year-old was on the hood of the car. Deputies reportedly catch up with a white Mercedes with significant front-end damage a third of a mile from the scene. Behind the wheel is Rebecca Grossman. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's department says they believe that vehicle was traveling over 80 miles an hour. Grossman’s breathalyzer test after the crash showed a blood-alcohol content of 0.076% according to local news reports. The legal limit in California is 0.08%. A blood sample taken three hours after the crash registered at the 0.08% mark. Rebecca Grossman was charged and convicted of two felony counts each of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. Grossman was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Joining Nancy Grace today: MADD TIPLINE: Mothers Against Drunk Driving 24-Hour Victim Help Line: 877.MADD.HELP or 1-877-623-3435 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fire was reported November 7th, 2024, at Broadmoor Self-Storage in Kentwood, Michigan. Firefighters cut the lock off unit 454, and discovered the body of Corinne Abosamra. Morgan Wingeier rented a storage unit at Broadmoor Self-Storage and allowed Corinne Abosamra to live in the unit. On the day of the fire, Wingeier left Abosamra in the unit and locked it with a pad lock on the outside. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss what is known so far about the death of Abosamra and look closely at the evidence to see if it leads to accident or murder. Transcribe Highlights 00:00.41 Introduction 02:00.28 Renting a Storage Unit 04:54.75 At a fire scene, everything looks the same 09:06.27 Would someone rent a storage unit to render down a body 14:34.80 Finding charred remains in the storage unit 19:53.52 Did Morgan Wingeier forget she locked Abosamra in storage unit 24:28.50 Victim was in the unit for 10 hours before fire was seen 29:07.64 Wingeier didn't return to the storage unit 34:10.35 Heat coming off a fire, no escape 39:47.36 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert Here's three of our top stories this week: Sean Combs has a new lawsuit, but this time he claims to be the victim. Diddy has filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against accuser Courtney Burgess, his attorney Ariel Mitchell and Nexstar Media Group. A serial killer shows no signs of remorse or respect at his sentencing, belting out "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" as the victim's families beg for answers in court. A 25-year-old man in Illinois receives a 60-year prison sentence for the brutal decapitation of his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicholas Alahverdian’s obituary appeared on a memorial site called Ever Loved. It detailed how the man, who grew up in foster care became a Harvard Graduate and a vocal critic of Rhode Island’s childcare system after suffering sexual abuse as a child. It also detailed how Alahverdian died of Hodgkin's Lymphoma at 32 years old, leaving behind a wife and two young children who remained at his bedside as he died. Alahverdian’s death was a lie, an elaborate scheme created by Nicholas Rossi, a man charged with sexually assaulting a former girlfriend in Orem, Utah as well as multiple complaints against him in Rhode Island for alleged domestic violence. David Rossi, the stepfather says at an early age Nicholas would hit his mother, grandmother, and siblings, and wouldn't listen in school. Alahverdian was placed in psychiatric care. Nicholas Alahverdian, using the name Rossi, was accused of assaulting a young woman he met at Sinclair Community College in Ohio. The two had lunch together. Alahverdian offered to walk the co-ed to her next class. The coed claims Alahverdian then pinned her against a wall in a basement, groped her, and masturbated. Alahverdian apologized and asked the girl not to tell anybody. She made a police report and Alahverdian, aka Rossi, was convicted of public indecency and sexual imposition, and was required to register as a sex offender. Two years later, police are called to an apartment in Rhode Island. Officers can hear arguing and screaming. When a woman comes to the door, she has marks on her face neck, and left eye and her right eye is swelling. The woman tells police she and Alahverdian were arguing and when she tried to leave he slapped her in the face. Police arrest Alahverdian who proclaims his innocence and begins banging his head on the bars in the back of the squad car. Officers have to use pepper spray to make him stop trying to hurt himself. Alahverdian pleads no-contest to domestic simple assault. Testing reveals Alahverdian's DNA is present in a rape case, and other allegations have already been lodged. Fraud charges also land in Alahverdian's lap, and this is when he fakes his death and heads overseas. The death of Nicholas Alahverdian is met with skepticism. Alahverdian's foster mother Sharon Lane said she was contacted by Alahverdian's biological mother. The minute Sharon Lane read the obituary, she believed it was written by Alahverdian himself. Utah authorities continued investigating the first rape allegation against Nicholas Alahverdian and issued a warrant for his arrest seven months after he supposedly died. An FBI search of Alahverdian’s iCloud account and cell phone records led investigators to Scotland. As investigations were looking for Nicholas Alahverdian and Nichols Rossi in the United States, a man named Arthur Knight was being treated for Covid-19 at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow. He had been living a happy new life, married a woman named Miranda, and worked as a tutor, but then he suffered a serious case of pneumonitis, caused by Covid-19. Someone recognized him through his distinctive tattoos. They were a match to those from a Pawtucket police booking photo of him. In December 2021, they arrested the convicted sex offender in the Glasgow hospital. Authorities say Knight was just one of Alahverdian’s 16 known aliases, which include Nicholas Rossi, Nicholas Brown, Arthur Brown, and Arthur Knight-Brown. Nicholas Alahverdian fought extradition back to the US. For over two years, Alahverdian exhausted every legal avenue available in the UK. Ultimately the courts ruled he was a wanted fugitive and agreed to the United States’ request to send him home. Rossi now set for trial. Joining Nancy Grace Today: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Alexander Brothers are accused of using their wealth and positions to create and facilitate opportunities to rape and sexually assault women. So far, more than 40 women have come forward accusing the three Alexander brothers of sexual misconduct, and investigators are asking other women who believe they have been assaulted to call. Attorneys for the brothers say they plan to plead not-guilty to the charges which, if convicted, could land all three brothers in prison for life. There are three Alexander brothers; Two of the brothers are twins, Oren and Alon, and their older brother Tal. Tal and Oren Alexander are known in the world of high-priced real estate having brokered a $47 million dollar deal for their dad in 2012 and a $240 million dollar Manhattan Condo sale in 2019, while Oren's twin brother, Alon, attended law school before joining the family's private security company, Kent Security Each of the three brothers has been accused of forcible rape by at least 10 women. All three indicted on Federal Charges of sex trafficking, while the twins Oren and Alon are charged with Sexual Battery in Florida. The Alexanders have denied the allegations in the civil cases and their reps have previously gone so far as to suggest the accusers were trying to shake down the brothers Investigators interviewing a victim, referred to as "Victim -1" in court documents, who claims she was raped by Tal Alexander and other men in 2021 at a home in The Hamptons. "Victim-1" is given a glass of wine, after which she doesn't feel well. She recalls Tal holding her down as another man enters the room, and later being in a separate room where a camcorder is set up. Some allegations made against the Alexander brothers are very specific. A victim called "victim-2" in court papers, tells investigators she was raped by Oren. Oren handed her a cocktail and she began feeling strange and struggles to walk. Alon Alexander then takes her to a bedroom to lay down. She recalls waking to find Oren in the room. Oren then pulls down her bathing suit and rapes her while she is “physically impaired and could not move." Joining Nancy Grace today: www.carynstark.comwww.ChristinaAguayoNews.Com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housekeeper demands Christmas bonus, attacks and robs elderly client who can't afford it. Colorado driver takes a wrong turn onto a ski slope! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OnlyFans model and Instagram influencer Courtney Clenney calls 911 telling the operator her boyfriend has been stabbed and is bleeding profusely. Later Clenney is arrested for his murder. Clenney say claims she was afraid Christian Obumseli was going to hurt her and threw a knife at him in self-defense. The knife lodged in his chest, killing him. An attorney for Clenney says that the 25-year-old “was a victim of physical, emotional, and mental abuse at the hands of Obumseli” and killed him in self-defense. The two had been dating for about two years and lived at the apartment building for several months. Police say they’ve responded to multiple calls to the apartment, and apartment staff had also noted multiple domestic incidents and tried to evict them. Friends of the couple said it was unimaginable that Obumseli could have been violent toward Clenney, saying while they had seen Clenney hit Obumseli, they had never seen him hit her. In her latest courtroom move, Clenney's defense introduced a video of an expert knives being thrown at a pig carcass. According to the defense, the pig’s skin and tissue behave much like a human’s. The point was to test the theory, that Obumseli death happened just as Clenney said. Joining Nancy Grace today: kingmorselaw.comwww.carynstark.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeowner fires shots feet away from a toddler, claiming family of 6 is trespassing. Disney employee in charge of restaurant menus sentenced for revenge destruction. For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will a home invasion just miles away from Idaho murder sight give Bryan Kohberger's defense attorneys an alternative suspect in the deaths of four Moscow students? Many speculate that the similarities between the crime will offer a "some other dude did it" defense. In the mean time, in a closed ex-parte hearings, defense attorneys discuss their motion to suppress evidence due to law enforcement’s use of a DNA match as the basis for several searches. Judge Steven Hippler and the defense will reconvene with prosecutors Thursday for formal arguments on the evidence issues and other motions. While defense attorneys have requested the entire hearing be open to the public, Judge Hippler will determine how much of the arguments will happen behind closed doors. Many expect the hearing to continue through Friday. Kohberger’s defense is challenging nearly all of the evidence against the accused killer, claiming police violated Kohberger’s rights and improperly obtained search warrants. The defense argues all data from Kohberger’s phone, including his Google, Apple, and Amazon accounts should not be allowed into evidence along with anything seized from his parent’s Pennsylvania home, his Washington apartment, or his car. The defense claims law enforcement intentionally withheld exculpatory information from a Judge to obtain the search warrants, and that the scope of the searches was too broad. Also, despite Judge Steven Hippler’s ruling that the death penalty will remain on the table for Kohberger, his defense team may be gearing up to argue for its removal again. The defense now alleging the prosecution has failed to meet the deadline to turn over its list of experts for trial. Kohberger’s attorneys claim that the state’s expert witness briefs are overly broad and do not address the scope of the opinions those called to testify may offer at trial. While the defense has not yet moved to sanction the prosecution, their filing includes a threat to seek a remedy of striking the death penalty if the deficiencies with the witness list are not resolved. Kohberger’s defense appears to be taking a page out of Lori Vallow Daybell’s trial, where Judge Steven Boyce removed the death penalty after prosecutors failed to turn over thousands of documents and hundreds of hours of jail phone calls until three weeks before trial, but the key difference between the cases is that Vallow insisted on a speedy trial, while Kohberger has waived that quick timeline. Joining Nancy Grace today: www.parkerandmcconkie.comwww.drbethanymarshall.com/www.coldcasefoundation.org/chris-mcdonoughhttps://www.pcaexperts.com/,scott.eicher@pcaexperts.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Father facetimes his toddler's mother as he kills their girl during a police chase. Woman attacks pizza shop employees over cold pie! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A New Jersey teacher is accused of sexually abusing her former 5th grade student for four years, while he and his two siblings lived with her. Laura Caron, now 34, also has a 5-year-old son who police believe was fathered by the victim when he was just 13 years old. Caron’s arrest comes after the victim’s father noticed striking similarities between Caron’s son and his eldest son, now an adult. Caron, then 26, taught fifth grade at Middle Township Elementary School when she develops a close relationship with a male student’s mother. The mom knows her two younger children will also come through Caron’s class, and they become fast friends. Caron agrees to babysit for the family as needed, which turns into overnight stays a few times a week. Eventually, the three children, two boys and a girl, live with Caron full time. All three children share a bedroom on the second floor, but in the morning, the eldest brother’s bed is usually empty. His siblings typically find him on the first floor, coming from Caron’s bedroom. The younger siblings also frequently catch Caron going into the bathroom while their brother showers, then exiting with him, also wet and wearing a towel. While Caron and the children watch TV before bed, Caron always sits with the eldest 11-year-old boy in a reclining chair. The two younger children usually fall asleep while watching a movie, but one evening, the middle brother, 8, wakes up and notices Caron and his brother shifting around in the reclining chair. The two are covered by a blanket, but he can tell Caron’s hand is moving under the blanket. Three years after inviting her student and his siblings to live with her, Caron gives birth to a baby boy. Caron is very quiet about the baby’s father, claiming he isn’t ready to a dad, but she is grateful for the blessing he gave her. Caron continues to care for the siblings alongside her baby boy. The three children move out of Caron’s home just after her son’s first birthday, but Caron still stays in close contact with the family, their daughter, the last to enter fifth grade. The boy’s mother is scrolling through Facebook when she comes across a photo of Laura Caron’s son, who’s now 5 years old. She shows the photo to her husband, who comments that the boy looks strikingly similar to their eldest son. He admits he fathered Caron’s baby, but he begs her to let it go because he doesn’t want Caron to get in trouble. The boy’s father takes to Facebook, commenting on Caron’s photo that her kindergartener looks a lot like his son, who was just 13 when the baby was born. Middle Township Superintendent Dr. David Salvo gets wind of the post and goes straight to the police, reporting a teacher may have had an inappropriate relationship with a student. Middle Township police begin investigating the superintendent’s claims, and interview Caron’s alleged victim, now an adult. The boy comes clean with police, telling them Caron instigated a sexual relationship with him in 2016, shortly after he and his siblings moved into her home. The boy says he did father Caron’s baby, and their relationship continued physically until the siblings moved out in 2020, but that he had kept in contact with her until his family discovered the truth. Laura Caron, 34, arrested outside her Cape May Court House home just over a week after her victim’s damning interview, charged with sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and endangering a minor by sexual conduct. Caron now held at the Cape May County Correctional Facility. Joining Nancy Grace today: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teacher's aide helping special needs student caught in bed with him! Driver admits he was playing video games instead of paying attention to the road. For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Shaffer makes the 30-minute drive from Columbus to celebrate the start of Spring Break with a steak dinner at his father’s house. Over dinner, Brian excitedly discusses his upcoming vacation to Miami with girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner. According to family, Brian plans to propose. Brian also mentions his plans to go out that evening with his former roommate, William “Clint” Florence. At 9:00 p.m, Brian Shaffer meets up with Clint Florence at the Ugly Tuna Saloona, a popular college bar on the second floor of the Gateway Building. Around 10:00 PM, Shaffer calls his girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner to check in before he and Florence leave for another bar in the Arena district. Shaffer and Florence each have a shot at several bars before meeting up with Florence’s friend, Meredith Reed, around midnight. The group heads back to the Ugly Tuna in Reed’s car for one last round. At 1:15 aa.m., Shaffer, Florence, and Reed head up the Gateway Building’s escalator to the Ugly Tuna and partake in one more round of shots while listening to the band. Shaffer gives Florence and Reed some time alone, and chats with two women just outside the bar until 1:55 a.m. Just 5 minutes later, the bar is closing and masses of patrons head down the escalator, but Florence and Reed can’t find Shaffer. The pair eventually assumes that Shaffer went home, likely walking to his off-campus apartment just six blocks away. Saturday morning, Alexis Waggoner calls her boyfriend to nail down some final plans for their upcoming vacation. It goes straight to Brian Shaffer’s voicemail, but Waggoner assumes Shaffer is sleeping off the night before. That afternoon, a second call from Waggoner goes to voicemail. Shaffer isn’t answering his father either. On Sunday, Derek Shaffer heads to his brother’s apartment. Brian’s car is parked outside, and nothing’s amiss inside his apartment, but no Brian. Monday morning, Brian Shaffer doesn’t show at the airport. Randy Shaffer immediately reports his son missing. Investigators immediately look to surveillance footage at the Gateway building. Shaffer is last seen walking off camera toward the Tuna’s entrance—but Shaffer never comes back down the escalator. Shaffer isn’t caught outside the building at an emergency exit, either. It appears Shaffer never left the building. The only other exit from the second floor is a service door not meant for public use. The service door leads to an area of the building under construction, where a temporary freight elevator is installed, but climbing down the service ladder would have been tough for a sober person, much less an intoxicated one. Surveillance cameras from nearby bars also should have spotted Shaffer leaving from that first floor exit. Columbus police search garbage that left the Gateway building, the sewers below, and use dogs to comb a miles-wide radius. There’s no sign of Brian Shaffer. JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY: Matthew ManginoSteve FischerTodd G. Shipley, CFE, CFCESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cops shocked when they discover a body in the backseat of a suspected DUI driver. Woman is looking for her drug dealer, but finds a sheriff's deputy! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.